Edit: made some changes 4/7/2011

Ok this is my second attempt at writing fanfiction, and MUCH MUCH better then my first attempt. I am not sure where this is headed, but it will be Mai/Lin.

I appreciate any critiques as I am trying to improve my writing. I am looking for advice not flames, all flames will be laughed at and then ignored.

Disclaimer: Me poor farmer/photographer/office person, me no own Ghost Hunt. If I did I would be a rich farmer/photographer/ex-office person. :)

It was quite in the office, the only sound that could be heard was Lin typing in his office. Naru's office door was shut, and I was reading a book for a school assignment, when suddenly I heard Naru's door open. I sighed.

"Three, Two, One", I counted down quietly to myself.

"Mai, Tea!" Naru, AKA Kazuya Shibuya loudly ordered.

Kami, he was predictable. You could practically tell the time by Naru's tea cravings. Everyday without fail, at 3:38pm Naru would emerge from his lair to loudly demand his tea.

"You know, you could tell time by your tea cravings," I shot back at him.

"If I'm so predictable I should not have to even ask for my tea, you should already have it prepared, or are you so inept that you are unable to tell time?" He said, without even brothering to look at me as he made his way over to one of the couches in the lobby of our small office.

'err, he can be such a prick!' I silently fume as I make my way over to the kitchenette to make "Lord" Naru his precious tea. Truthfully, I had thought of preparing it prior to him asking before, but we had a kind of ritual set in place and I didn't want to disturb that.

Everyday at 3:38pm, Naru would come out and yell at me to make him tea. He would then sit down at one of the couches to drink his tea as he read over a case file or more oddly a map while I would work at my desk – I have yet to ask him about the maps, I just assume he's planning a vacation or something. We never spoke, but it was a comfortable silence. It was the only time we had together that he wasn't insulting me and I wasn't going to risk upsetting the pleasant atmosphere that seemed to surround us during this time.

I sighed, again, as I poured the hot water over his tea and let it steep. I've worked for SPR or Shibuya Psychic Research for nearly a year now, and still I haven't gotten up the courage to tell Naru my feelings.

I originally hated Naru's guts; because of his holier then thou attitude, but after a short time working for him that changed. I'm not sure if it was the strange dreams I kept having in which he seemed like a completely different person (and by different, I mean kind) or if it was just his inhumanly good looks (which has enthralled many girls my age and older, which is disturbing). All I know is that I had fallen for him… hard, and it hurt because he never gave me a second glance. To him I was just Mai, the orphan that sometimes had useful dreams and made good tea.

I once again sighed.

'I really need to stop sighing' I thought to myself as I plastered a overly fake smile on my face and brought out Naru's tea, placing it on the coffee table in front of the couch the pompous narcissist was perched on.

"Here is your tea Naru" I said in my most annoyingly cheerful voice.

"Hmm" was all I received in recognition for my service as my forced smile dimmed a notch.

"You know most decent human beings would say thank you" I continued to stand in front of the couch while tapping my foot impatiently, scowling down at the dark haired, handsome young man that made life so much better yet worse all at the same time.

This was another part of our daily ritual. I would bring Naru his tea; he would continue to ignore me as I tried to pry a thank you from him.

For my efforts all I got was another "Hmm" as Naru continued looking over the map he'd brought out of his office with him.

He picked up his tea and took a sip as he continued to ignore me. He placed his tea back on it's saucer before leaning back into the couch and finally acknowledging me. He glared at me coldly over the edge of his map. "I pay your salary; I don't have to thank you every time you do your job"

I "humphed" and walked out of the lobby to bring Lin his tea, for he normally had a cup around this time of day as well.

"You've never thank me you narcissistic ass" I mumbled as I walked down the hall, leaving Naru to look over his map in piece. Hopefully he would be in a better mood by the time I got back to my desk.

I walked to Lin's office and knocked on the door jam, because the door was open, and announced that I had his tea.

"Come in" Lin said absently while he continued to type away.

I placed his tea on his desk as he continued to work. I had no idea what kept him so busy. The office has been relatively quite lately, since the last case at the inn – after which Naru was hospitalized for over a week and was only recently released. I was curious, and since Lin and I had a more friendly working relationship recently I felt comfortable enough to bug him about his work.

"So, what yah working on Lin?" I asked as I leaned over his desk to get a better view of his computer screen.

Lin looked up at me as if he just realized I was still there while simultaneously closing his laptop so all I got was a quick glance at what looked like a list of locations, "Why do you want to know?" he asked as he continued to stare at me with a closed off look on his face.

I didn't like that look, it reminded me of back when Lin use to avoid my presence at all cost.

I leaned back and felt my face flush with heat, maybe I had pushed our new found friendly co-workers status to far. I should have asked before trying to look at his computer.

"Well, um, it's just we haven't had any cases lately and I haven't had much work to do, so I thought, maybe I could help you with what ever your working on, cause I just feel horrible getting paid and not doing any work." I rambled nervously, while looking down at my feet to escape Lin's now amused eyes – well at least he wasn't hiding behind his mask of cool indifference anymore.

Lin went back to his computer, lifting the screen back up after insuring I wouldn't try to peek again. He didn't look upset, and actually had a small smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't speak for what felt like minutes, but most likely was only a couple seconds. I continued to fidget nervously with my skirt as he stared at his computer screen with a contemplative look on his face. "There might be something, but I have to speak to Naru about it before I can give you any information."

"Why would you have to ask Naru first?" If it was something about a case I couldn't see a problem with Lin telling me. Naru sometimes waited until the last minute give me the details of a case, but I think that was more to annoy me then because he actually wanted to keep it a secret.

Lin leaned back in his chair and brought his hand up to his face to message the bridge of his nose – he looked stressed. "It's of a personal nature and I don't want to tell you anything that Naru might not want others knowing. I will discuss it with him later tonight and if he agrees I can fill you in tomorrow."

"Oh, ok?" I really didn't know what to say. What would Lin be working on of "a personal nature" for Naru that he wouldn't want others to know about? I know Naru tends to be on the secretive side, but if asked about himself he normally gives, what I thought, was a truthful answer.

Just then I picked up on the last part of what Lin said, "Tomorrow? Isn't the office normally closed on Sunday?"

Lin seemed to shake himself out of his funk as he went back to typing, "Yes, but we are meeting at the library by your school at one, so I can help you with your English homework, or have you changed your mind?"

He glanced back up from his work to give me and inquisitive stair that had me fidgeting with the hem of my shirt and blushing in embarrassment.

I had completely forgotten Lin's offer to help me with my English Grammar class after he saw one of my failed exams earlier this week, "I am sooo sorry, I nearly forgot!"

I couldn't believe that I had forgotten! Lin and I have gotten closer over the past few months, but it still came as a huge surprise when he offered to tutor me. I've been stressing over meeting him outside work for the past few days and then I go and completely forget the day before.

"I'm such an air head!" I silently berated myself as I continued to pick apart my poor shirt.

He looked back up at me and gave me a little smirk – which made me blush even worse – as he took in my, I'm sure, tomato red face and frazzled appearance, "It's ok Mai, Naru's been a little overbearing since he was released from the hospital and I know he hasn't been easy on you. Our appointment tomorrow has most likely been the farthest thing from your mind, we can reschedule if you want to take tomorrow to relax."

"No, I've been looking forward to meeting with you all week!" I blurted out before realizing how that statement made our meeting sound more like a date then a study session.

Lin let out a sigh as he once again looked me over, if I wasn't paying so much attention to his expression I would have missed the look of concern he shot me before composing himself and returning to his work "Speaking of Naru, you should probably get back to your desk before he accuses you of slacking off again"

"Oh, okay, thanks Lin I guess I'll see you tomorrow at one then?" I question in a small voice, confused by Lin's sudden dismissal and the strange look he gave me.

"Yes, one o'clock" he mumbled absently, as he was, once again, completely absorbed in what ever he was typing on his screen.

As I walked out of Lin's office and back into the lobby/reception area where my desk was located I though on how differently Lin treats me now compared to before the Bloody Labyrinth case. We seemed to have come to an understanding during that nightmarish case, and I was glad for it.

Before Lin had always treated me coldly, normally ignoring me completely, only speaking to me when absolutely necessary, and always referring to me as Taniyama-san, no matter how many times I told him just to call me Mai. It was a lot better now with him treating me like an actual colleague instead of like some random stranger he met on the street.

I'm so fickle, I like Naru, but lately when I'm around Lin he makes me feel so flustered! At least with Lin I don't feel like I have to pretend. Naru is always judging and ever since the others found out about my status as an orphan I feel like they are just waiting for me to have a meltdown! With Lin though I can be myself, he will point out my mistakes, but unlike Naru, does it in a way that is informative instead of insulting.

I have learned so much about paranormal investigating since Lin started helping me understand what we are actually doing with all the equipment I'm normally stuck with setting up. I always felt so useless before, only being able to help with my dreams – which are always frustratingly vague and sometimes so confusing they are more of a hindrance the a help.

It's nice to be able to understand Naru when he starts talking about the more technical side of our job, even if I'm still not good enough to provide my own impute, at least I don't have to ask him to re-explain what he just said in "Mai Terms".

I apparently been standing in front of my desk lost in thought because I herd Naru clear his throat just before he opened his mouth to throw an insult my way "Mai, are you really so simple minded that you find a blank wall so entertaining"

"N-no, just lost in thought" I stuttered while making my way behind my desk to sit down and continue reading my assignment for English, wanting to finish it before I met with Lin tomorrow.

"Humf, you must first be capable of thought to be lost in it"

Kami, I've had enough! "What is your issue!" I yelled as I jumped from my seat and turned around to glare at the entitled ass. "If I'm so dumb and useless why keep me around! And does everything that comes out of your mouth that's directed at me HAVE to be an insult!"

I don't know why his insults were affecting me so much today, when I would normally just brush them off, maybe I had finally had enough; maybe I had reached my breaking point.

I think it might have been the stress of school on top worrying about the narcissist for the past week while he was in the hospital and believing it was my fault he ended up there.

My face heated up and I could feel the tears about to fall, so I turned around. I would NOT let him see me cry!

"I know I am not as smart as you or as pretty as Masako, but I try! I try my hardest! To make you proud, to make everyone proud!" My voice was beginning to quiver. As I took in a deep breath and let it out I made up my mind.

"I quit!" I practically screamed as I grabbed my bag off my desk and hurried out the door, not even stopping to get my coat.

I heard Lin inquire as to what all the yelling was about from his office door, but I couldn't bring myself to stop. I slammed the door on the way out and ran down the stairs to the street below.

Halfway to my apartment, the dam broke and I collapsed onto the sidewalk in a heap of sobs and tears.

I am pretty darn proud of that! Not bad for a first attempt at fiction in 7+ years!

Ok tell me what you think!

As for Mai's behavior, her reaction is not out of character. I have had this happen to me before, I worked for 2 years and 4 years prior volunteering in a job where I was continually insulted by my boss, but I was young and my coworkers were like a family to me so I put up with it. But I can tell you, at some point you reach a breaking point and just say F-THIS! and leave, because that is what I did. So I think with all the pressure Mai was under her reaction was realistic. Not to say she won't come to regret it, because even though I was treated like crap I still kind of miss working where I did before.